Expert: Cooper P. Abrams III - 7/20/2006

Question
Yes, that is correct about the musical instrument from the ( Old Testament ) but, if you use part of the Old Testament why not use all of it? The same authority that allowed istrumental music, also demand  of animal sacrifice. And if we are to keep the instrumental music we would also have to keep the animal sacrifices which ( after the death of Jesus ) would be denying the efficacy of Jesus' blood... am i correct? Also, Instruments were not accepted in the church until around the 18th century.Now how far away is that from the Bibles creation? Also, Revelations 14:2 from the NIV version stats "... it was like that of harpists playing their harps." Not " it was harpists playing there harps. "
Last Eph 5:19, "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;"
From the Greek: Psalmoi, Ψαλμοί psalms means song or chant.From Greek ὕμνος hymnos "a song of praise " It does not state to use instrumental music, for if God wanted us to use them he would have said so.God is not the author of confusion... reference back to Noah, God told him exactly how larg he wanted the ship. He didn't say," Ok Noah go make it as big as you feel would work. "






Please correct me if i have made any mistakes... so what were you saying about musical instrument.And please help me find the truth about musical instrument... do hope you read all of that.  

Answer
Hi AGain,
   There is nothing evil in a musical instrument or playing one of any kind. it is simply an inert piece of material.  However, one can be used for evil, say in playing rock, worldly and sinful music.    There is nothing wrong with a firearm....but if used to commit a crime it is used sinful.
    So what is evil or wrong in playing an instrument in a respectful, God honoring way to accompany singing?      
    Is it more spiritual to sing than to sing with instrumental accompliment?   What makes something spiritual and honoring the Lord....rital, laws or a pure heart.
     We are under legistic laws which keeping make us spiritual?   Paul repeatedly tells us we are not under the law.   He says we are not to allow anyone to judge us concerning keeping laws or rituals. (Col 2:6)  What we should be is spiritual people who love and serve the Lord....not out of constraint in keeping a rule, but out of a spiritual heart that seeks to honor the Lord.
      Have you read 2 Corinthians 3:6 that explains the letter of the law...killeth!    A church that bases spiritually on keeping some mistaken practice will also have other problems....like believing baptism saves or is necessary for salvation....and other false teachings.
      I admit that a lot of music...singing with or without instruments is dishonoring to the Lord.   The music in many churches is worldly and the singers are performers rather than worshippers of God.  I am my church strongly condemn this worldly practice.    Many too, who sing are proud of their singing skills with is prideful and that is sin.   They really strieve to make themselves heard in church.   You know that is true...  
      So, I do not agree with you that it is wrong to have instruments accompany god honoring music in a church.   There is no scripture that even hints of this or states any such prohibition.   If it were important or God's will, I think He would have plainly communicated that to us.    
      Your reasoning that in the OT that used instruments and also sacrificed animals is support for not using instruments today is certainly not valid.   The sacrifice these animal scrifices pictured....what happened when Jesus Christ suffered and died on the Cross.  He was the sacrifice this ritual sacrifices pointed to.
       Hope this helps....  Maybe get you to thinking anyway.   Take care.
Cooper Abrams
    "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." (Romans 12:1)